Dakota and Dash - House Rabbit Network

Dakota and Dash: Sanctuary Bunnies Extraordinaire

by Jane Kavcak

Dakota and Dash — what can I say? From the first time I saw their picture on the HRN website, I was in love. I remember thinking how sweet they looked together, and how it was as if they had always been together and always would be. It also didn’t hurt that they were two gray and white Dutch bunnies. My heart will always have a very special place for Dutch bunnies.

So, even though I really wasn’t looking to adopt two more bunnies, I called and asked about the pair. I was told that they were older bunnies, with chronic health problems, who would most likely never be adopted. After just a few seconds of thought, I said I would like to bring them home as sanctuary bunnies. Their age and health problems really didn’t matter. I just knew that my heart had been touched and I wanted them to share our lives for however much time they had left.

On November 21, 2004, Dakota and Dash arrived at our home in Pennsylvania. They seemed none the worse for wear for the trip and immediately settled into their condo. Having been “warned” that they were avid chewers who loved cardboard and wicker, I gave them a cardboard box filled with paper for entertainment and exercise. It was so funny watching them shred, shred, shred…everything in sight! First they destroyed the paper, and then attacked the box. They worked together beautifully — Dash digging, and Dakota tossing and shredding. It made me smile. And I knew I had made the right decision in bringing them home.

Within days of their arrival, Dash started sneezing and had some nasal discharge. I knew he suffered from chronic upper respiratory infections and so was glad I’d had the foresight to book a vet appointment in advance of their arrival. Their first vet visit revealed Dash had yet another URI, plus some bladder stones. The stones didn’t seem to be causing any discomfort so we decided to take the wait-and see approach. Meanwhile, we put him on antibiotics and Benadryl for two weeks. Aside from the sneezing and discharge, Dash never did seem sick. He and Dakota both have very healthy appetites (she more so, despite being the thinner of the two).

The first few months were an adjustment period for all of us. While “the Ds”, as I now affectionately called them, brought much joy to my heart, Dash continued to battle chronic respiratory infections. He did improve after his antibiotic therapy, only to have symptoms reappear within a few weeks. At around this time, Dakota also started showing URI symptoms. So, we did a month long course of treatment with antibiotics for both rabbits.

Besides their health issues, Dakota and Dash were not exactly the tidiest of bunnies. Despite being litter box trained, they peed and pooped anywhere they wanted. Dash also liked to lift his butt over the edge of the litter pan, flooding their condo. It was a challenge just to keep their area clean. We tried several different types of litter pans, with some success, but finally gave in and realized the bunnies enjoyed having us humans cleaning their house several times a day. I must admit, it did give them lots of exercise! Whenever I changed their litter pans, and swept and washed their condo, the Ds delighted in terrorizing me. They would grab the dustpan and brush from my hand — Dash grabbing one, Dakota the other — and immediately dig out any fresh litter placed in their pans. And, I do mean DIG! Woodstove pellets would fly in all directions. Once, I was bombarded with a hailstorm of pellets that would make a machine-gunner envious. But, all of this only made me love them more. I laughed every time they did something mischievous, and smiled when I watched them groom each other.

By the end of May, their respiratory problems had improved but I noticed that Dakota was starting to have that bony look that old bunnies get, and she had obviously lost some weight. She was never a big bunny to begin with, weighing just 3+ pounds when we brought her home. So, off to the vet we went for another check-up. Dash was doing well but Dakota’s weight was down to 3 pounds. It didn’t seem possible, given how much she eats. She is one of those bunnies that eats constantly. If she’s not munching hay, she’s eating salad or pellets. Our vet quickly discovered the cause of the weight loss: Dakota had a large tumor in her stomach that was most likely cancer. It was preventing her from getting adequate food intake because of its size. We discussed options but, due to her age and health issues, surgery was not possible. I brought my Ds home that day, knowing I would do whatever I could to keep them comfortable. My heart was breaking because I also knew I would be saying goodbye to Miss Dakota sooner than I wanted to think about.

We celebrated Dakota and Dash’s one year anniversary with us in November. It’s been a year of ups and downs but this bonded pair of Dutch bunnies has amazed us with their resilience and devotion to each other. They were recently at the vet for a check-up and Dakota had gained weight. Dash has not shown any signs of respiratory problems or discomfort from his bladder stones. Dakota still has a large mass in her stomach but continues to enjoy her pellets, hay and salads. When she was diagnosed with cancer, I decided she could have as much to eat as she wanted and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing. They get a full bowl of pellets every day with unlimited hay and a huge nightly salad. My only goal is to keep them happy and comfortable. One day I know I will have to say goodbye to my precious Ds but, for now, I enjoy each and every day with them and am so grateful they are in our lives. And, yes, they still attack when we clean their area. You just have to love bunnies with attitude!

Editor’s Note: Sadly, Dash passed away Memorial Day week. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew this brave little soul.